New Resource Helps Families Navigate Addiction Treatment Options

A new resource, “Seeking Drug Abuse Treatment: Know What to Ask,” will help individuals and families struggling with addiction ask the right questions before choosing a drug treatment program. It was developed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and is available to the public free online or in hard copy through NIDA's DrugPubs service.

"Treatment options can vary considerably, and families often don't know where to begin," said NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow in a news release. "This booklet highlights the treatment components that research has shown are critical for success, to help people make an informed choice during a very stressful time."

The new publication is based on a NIDA resource describing the principles of drug addiction treatment from a research-based perspective. It recommends five helpful questions people should ask and explains what the research has found to be most effective.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, in 2010 an estimated 22.1 million people aged 12 years or older were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year.

Don’t miss Dr. Volkow’s power session “NIDA: Progress and Priorities in Addiction Research” on Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. at CADCA’s National Leadership Forum.